Hard Times Merchant Token – A. Loomis, Groceries and Liquor, 6 stars above eagle Cleveland, Ohio ND

Reverse

Outer legend of non-alcoholic items circumscribed around inner legend regarding fish & alcoholic beverages with keg in center. Star at bottom.

Script: Latin

Lettering:
WHOLESALE. & RETAIL DEALER IN GROCERIES. SALT. *
FISH. WHISKY. FOREIGN LIQUORS WINES & C.

Edge

Plain

Comment

Anton Loomis (1812-1863) ran his grocery store independently after his brother Gilbert, with whom he had been in partnership, died in 1841. Peet’s General Business Directory of the Cities of Cleveland and Ohio in 1845 listed Loomis & Company at 34 Merwin Street. Merwin Street is along the east bank of the Cuyahoga River.
HT-381 is one of five varieties (HT-377 to HT-381) of Hard Times tokens made by Loomis. Most are rare with HT-381 being the most common at R-5 (31-75 known). HT-380 has 11 stars above the eagle and a smaller diameter, while HT-381 has 6 stars above the eagle with a larger diameter. They otherwise have the same design.